After Season 17 ends, fans are left wondering if Heartland continues in season 18 and what it may hold.
Starring Amber Marshall, Chris Potter and Shaun Johnston. Heartland is Canada’s longest-running hour-long scripted TV drama, following the life of the Fleming-Barlett family on an Alberta horse farm.
CBC renewed Heartland in May 2023 for a 10-episode season 17, which aired from October 1 to December 3 of that year.
(Here’s When Heartland Season 16 is Expected to Release on Netflix)
When is Heartland season 18 coming out?
CBC has not been officially renewed Heartland for season 18 yet. However, that may soon change.
In an interview with Keep Heartland Strong magazine, author Mark Haroun said that he is “very positive” about the season 18 renewal:
“I think it looks, I mean, it’s very positive that there will be an 18th season, so hopefully there will be an official announcement soon…”
For reference, season 17 was officially announced in May 2023, while season 16 was renewed in June 2022.
If Heartland intends to follow this schedule, “official notification” may happen in the next few weeks.
As for when new episodes can be released, lately Heartland seasons have aired annually, with season 15 premiering on October 17, 2021, season 16 on October 2, 2022, and season 17 on October 1, 2023.
If season 18 happens, CBC will likely release new episodes in October 2024.
Heartland Season 18 Potential Cast
Given HeartlandWith the extensive cast and the events of Season 18, there are several actors who could return for a second season, the first being Heartlandmain character, Amber Marshall.
Not only is she expected to continue juggling her horse gifts with single motherhood, Season 17 suggested that Amy will continue to explore her budding relationship with the family’s rival business owner, Nathan Pryce Jr., played by Spencer Lord.
Other returning leads for season 18 include Ruby and Emanuella Spencer as Amy’s daughter Lyndy Fleming and Amy’s sister Lou Fleming Morris, played by Michelle Morgan.
Chris Potter’s Tim Fleming and Shaun Johnston’s Jack Barlett, along with Amy and Lou’s father and grandfather, are also expected to return.
Here’s everyone Heartland cast expected to return for season 18:
- Amber Marshall – Amy Fleming
- Michelle Morgan – Lou Fleming Morris
- Ruby and Emanuella Spencer – Lyndy Fleming
- Chris Potter – Tim Fleming
- Gabriel Hogan – Peter Morris
- Michelle Nolden – Jessica Cook
- Kerry James – Caleb Odell
- Shaun Johnston – Jack Bartlett
- Baye McPherson – Katie Fleming Morris
- Ava Tran – Parker Yang
- Jessica Steen – Lisa Stillman
What Could Happen in Heartland Season 18?
Albeit Heartland Season 18 is yet to be confirmed, Season 17 set up various storylines for new episodes.
For starters, Jack was less than thrilled with Amy and Nathan’s growing connection.
No doubt that friction will continue in Season 18, but it’s also expected to get more complicated since Garland Foods divested the family of Heartland Beef in the Season 17 finale.
Although Lou seemed determined to stick to Heartland Beef’s beliefs, the company – and the ranch – could face uncertainty and hard times, leaving the family to argue about Amy’s bond with her competitor.
writer Mark Haroun alluded to this in the aforementioned interview, noting how “Running a farm like Heartland is incredibly challenging” in modern times and raises the question of how “Jack and Tim (will) adapt:”
“In this day and age, running a farm and running a place like Heartland is incredibly challenging. How do Jack and Time adapt? How do they adapt and change? And of course now they have this rival who also lives next door.”
There’s also the fan-favorite question of whether the original Heartland actress Jessica Amlee’s Mallory will continue to reprise her role after returning for season 17.
In a separate interview with Keep Heartland Strong, Haroun responded to this question by admitting, “I don’t think this is the last you’ve seen of Mallory:”
“You never know. I don’t want to give anything away, but… Let’s just say, I don’t think that’s the last you’ve seen of Mallory. I don’t know if it’s season 18 or another season. You never know.”
Seasons 1-15 Heartland is now streaming on Netflix, but seasons 16 and 17 are not on the service. Heartland replays are also available on several other streaming platforms in the United States
